Liverpool vs Norwich: Team News, Tactics, Line-Up and Prediction

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Ai??LIVERPOOL

v

NORWICH

Anfield, Liverpool

January 19, 2012; 15:00 GMT

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Liverpool entertains Norwich at Anfield this Saturday with hopes of bouncing back after their defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford last week. The North-West derby didnai??i??t quite go according to plan for The Reds and Brendan Rodgers finds himself back to the drawing board ahead of this weekend’s game. Liverpool had a convincing away victory against Norwich earlier in the season and the Kop will hope another victory against The Canaries will help rekindle their elusive quest for a Champions League spot.

Liverpool will look at this game as a golden opportunity to close the gap on their top 4 rivals. Arsenal and Tottenham face Chelsea and Manchester United respectively two games whose results could favour Liverpool. The Merseyside giants come into this game in indifferent form, having won 3 and lost 3 out of their last 6 games. Rodgers has harped on consistency and he will be hoping his side can secure a confidence boosting win ahead of a tough trip to the Emirates.

Norwich comes into this game in dire form – securing just one point in their last 5 games. Luis Suarez ran riot in the last encounter but The Canaries have improved significantly since then. However, a disastrous Christmas period means that Norwich now sit at the bottom half of the table. Chris Hughton’s side has managed to score only 2 points in the last 10 Premier League matches against Liverpool and the manager will be hoping his side can defy the odds on this occasion.

Team News and Tactical Brief

Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers has bolstered his squad in the January transfer window and the return of Fabio Borini from injury gives Rodgers more options in the attacking third. Jose Enrique is still recovering from his hamstring tear while Martin Kelly is out with his long term knee injury.

Rodgers normally likes to play a 4-3-3 but may opt to play a 4-2-3-1 formation in order to accommodate Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool looked a much more dangerous side against Manchester United after Sturridgeai??i??s introduction at half time and Liverpoolai??i??s manager may opt to start with the same formation this weekend.

Pepe Reina will be in goal for Liverpool and will be shielded by centre-back pairing Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel. Glen Johnson shall start at left-back for Liverpool in the absence of Enrique while Wisdom is likely to get the nod at right back after his impressive showing against Manchester United.

Lucas Leiva had a poor match at Old Trafford but he still remains first choice for Rodgers. He will be partnered by Steven Gerrard in midfield. Liverpoolai??i??s captain has been in impressive form off late and will once again look to influence Liverpoolai??i??s play from the deep. Leivaai??i??s strong defensive presence has allowed Gerrard greater freedom and the talismanic midfielder has been given greater license to make his trademark late runs into the box. Rodgers will be urging his captain to break forward at every opportunity and get into goal scoring positions for the Reds.

Rodgers will have a selection headache in attack, though. Suarez has been in imperious form while playing as a false No.9 but Rodgers may choose to employ him as a second striker behind Daniel Sturridge. Stewart Downing is likely to start at right wing while Sterling would start on the opposite flank. The two will interchange throughout the match to unsettle the Norwich defenders. Both Downing and Sterling will be looking to cut in from wide positions while the full backs will be instructed to push up and add width to the side. Johnson has been pivotal to Liverpoolai??i??s attacking moves and he will look push into the space left by Sterling and provide crosses for Sturridge and Suarez to attack.

Sturridge will look to play on the shoulder of the last defender and use his pace and power to get in behind the Norwich defence. Suarez will have a free role and will look to drop deep and drag defenders out of position, allowing Sturridge to exploit the space left behind. The Uruguayan will be crucial to the system and his skill and creativity just outside the box will help Liverpool unlock the Norwich defence.

Norwich

Norwich had a torrid time at Carrow Road in the reverse fixture last year and Chris Hughton will be looking to make sure that his side does not repeat those mistakes again. Following the defeat against Liverpool, Hughton managed to tighten the defence and registered 4 clean sheets in the next 6 games. However, Norwich have been guilty of conceding easily in recent weeks and the manager shall have to find a way to buck the trend.

Hughton will hope last weekai??i??s clean sheet against Newcastle marks the start of another good defensive run. Norwich City will be missing their first choice goalkeeper John Ruddy due to a thigh injury. Steven Whittaker is expected to be back fit for this game but is unlikely to get a start in this crucial encounter. Andrew Surman and Steve Morison also miss out due to injury but Norwich will be boosted by the return of Grant Holt from the sidelines.

Hughton will look to play a compact 4-5-1 formation and flood the midfield. Norwich are expected to press the Liverpool players and not allow them space and time on the ball to get their passing football going. The team will look to defend deep and employ a counter-attacking strategy.

Bradley Johnson and Alexander Tettey will line up in central midfield. Their primary responsibility would be to disrupt Liverpoolai??i??s passing rhythm. Johnson will play a little further forward and try to mark Steven Gerrard while Tettey will sit in front of the centre-backs and try to intercept passes to Liverpoolai??i??s forward line. Tettey will also be instructed to mark Suarez whenever the striker chooses to drop deep into midfield.

Pilkington and Snodgrass will provide the width and they will be expected to join up in the attack at every opportunity. Both wingers have had reasonably good seasons so far and will they will look to supply crosses which Grant Holt can attack. Hoolahan will play the furthest forward among the midfielders and will look to link-up with Holt. Hoolahan will also have the defensive responsibility of pressing Lucas high up the pitch and not allowing the Brazilian to build up play from the back.

Grant Holt has the all-important job of leading the line for Norwich. The powerful frontman will be expected to hold up play allowing Norwichai??i??s midfielders to join in the attack. The Englishman will be a threat from set pieces and Liverpool will have to be on their toes against Norwichai??i??s leading scorer.

Players to Watch

Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)

Liverpoolai??i??s new signing has had a good start to his career at Anfield and has already scored twice. Sturridge is now playing in his favoured centre-forward position and already looks to have struck an understanding with Luis Suarez.

Sturridgeai??i??s pace and power will be a real headache for Norwich defenders and Liverpoolai??i??s No. 15 will look to exploit the space created by a roaming Suarez. In addition, Gerrard will also be supplying balls from the deep to Sturridge. The forward seems to have adjusted well at his new club and his Anfield debut could bring a lot of joy for Liverpool fans.

Wes Hoolahan (Norwich)

Wes Hoolahan is the main creative force for Norwich and Chris Hughton will need him to be at his best if The Canaries are to get anything out of this game. Hoolahan will look to supply balls to Holt and join up in the attack. Liverpool have looked susceptible through the centre and Hoolahanai??i??s attacking forays could lead to goal scoring opportunities for Norwich. The Irishman will also look to press high up the pitch and disrupt Liverpoolai??i??s build-up play. His battle against Lucas will be key to Norwichai??i??s success.

Prediction

Liverpool 3 ai??i?? 0 Norwich

Liverpool will be fired up for this game after their defeat to their bitter rivals. The Reds have enjoyed some good form at home off late and Rodgers will have his team set out to attack from the outset. Suarez loves playing against Norwich and few would bet against him scoring again. Chris Hughtonai??i??s men are weak defensively and it is unlikely they will be able to keep Liverpool at bay for 90 minutes. Liverpool is likely to dominate possession and have several shots at goal. We predict this is going to be a relatively easy victory for the home team.